The freedom of the Sufi

The Freedom of the Sufi by Pir-O-Murshid Inayat Khan Sufism cannot be called a religion because it is free from principles,distinctions and differences, the very basis on which religions arefounded; neither can it be called a philosophy, because philosophy teachesthe study of nature in its qualities and varieties, whereas Sufism teachesunity. Therefore it may best be called simply the training of the view. The word Sufi implies purity, and purity contains two qualities. Pure meansunmixed with any other element, or in other words that which exists in itsown element, unalloyed and unstained. The second quality of purity is greatadaptability. Such is also the nature of the Sufi. In the first place he purifies himselfby keeping the vision of God constantly before him, not allowing the stainsof earthly differences and distinctions to be mirrored upon his heart, norgood or bad society, nor intercourse with high- or low- class people. Norcan a faith or a belief ever interfere with his purity. The Sufi shows his universal brotherhood in his adaptability. AmongChristians he is a Christian, among Jews he is a Jew, among Muslims he is aMuslim, among Hindus he is a Hindu; for he is one with all, and thus allare with him. He allows everyone to join in his brotherhood, and in thesame way he allows himself to join in any other. He never questions, "Whatis your creed or nation or religion?" Neither does he ask, "What are yourteachings or principles?" Call him brother, he answers brother, and he means it. With regard toprinciples, the Sufi has none, for sweetness may be beneficial to one andharmful to another. Thus it is with all principles, good and bad, kind andcruel. If we ask a soldier to be merciful during the battle, he will atonce be defeated. This shows that everyone has his own principle for eachaction or situation. One person may believe in a certain principle, whileanother may hold quite a contrary opinion. What one person may call goodanother may call bad. One says a certain path is the right one, whileanother takes the opposite direction. The Sufi, instead of becomingcentered in his likes and dislikes and limiting himself to a certain faithor belief, reasoning out right and wrong, focuses his view on that ofanother, and thus sees the reason why he believes and why he does not, whysomething is right to one and wrong to another. He also understands whythat which is called good by some people may be called bad by others, andthus by keeping his point of view under control he arrives at the trueheight of wisdom." An excerpt from an article entitled: "The Freedom of the Sufi" in THEMESSAGE Vol. IX No. 3 May-June, 1983The Message Volumes - Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan - vols. I-XIII online! Return to Sufi Order Webminder Amir Garrison, am...@lightways.comCopyright Š LightwaysŽ. Updated: 26 Oct 99